Sheet feeding machine



May 5, 1942. L. MATTHEWS SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed April 4, 1940 5Sheets-Sheet l y 1942- l... L. MATTHEw I 2,281,704

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed April 4, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Hy. a

y 1942- L. L. MATTHEWS 2,281,704

SHEET -FEEDING MACHINE I Filed April 4, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Y Patentec l- May 5, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,281,704 SHEET FEEDINGMACHINE Louis Landaif Matthews, Westerly, R. 1., assignor to MaxsonAutomatic Machinery Company, Westerly, R. I., a corporation of RhodeIsland Application April 4, 1940, Serial No. 327,860

35 Claims.

The present invention relates to machines for feeding sheet material,such as paper and the like. The invention is particularly related tomachines involving high speeds, like those used at paper mills forcutting webs from a roll or rolls into sheets, and feeding the sheets,by means of more or less horizontal conveyor tapes, into a lay-boy orother magazine. The sheets are fed by high-speed tapes to low-speedtapes by which they become overlapped, and it is in this overlappedcondition that they arrive in the lay-boy.

It has heretofore been customary, in some machines of theabove-described character, to provide long narrow stationary metalwaving fingers, snapped on to rods disposed between the tapes, with thetops of the fingers slightly above the more or less horizontal line ofthe tapes, for the purpose of imparting a long lengthwise stiffeningwave to the sheets. In this Way, the paper sheets are caused to travelsubstantially straight lengthwise, permitting their becoming overlappedas they travel from high-speed to low-speed tapes. Without some sort ofwave, or other supporting means, the head end of a heavy, soft or thinsheet will sag down in the middle, causing it to become snubbed againstthe tail of the previously traveling sheet during the slowing down ofthe latter by the slow-speed tapes. This is as true of narrow sheetsconstituted of very soft or limp material as of wide sheets constitutedof firmer stock. On certain classes of stock, however, it is impossible,because of injury to the stock, to drag the paper over metal wavingfingers of the abovedescribed character.

An object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a new and improvedmachine of the above-described character according to which it shall bepossible to operate even on delicate stock.

Other objects will be explained hereinafter, and will be particularlypointed out in the appended claims.

With these ends in view, a feature of the invention resides in theprovision of a substantially frictionless longitudinal waving action.The desired result may be attained in many equivalent ways, all withinthe scope of the present invention, one such way involving theemployment of soft wave-producing members, such as substantiallyfrictionless rolls or tapes that move with the moving paper, therebypreventing damage to the paper or other stock.

The invention will now be explained more fully in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 illustrates diagrammatically apreferred embodiment thereof, in side view; Fig. 2 is a section, takenupon the line 22 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig.3 is a fragmentary detail of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. l,but on a larger scale; Fig. 4 is a view of a detail upon a still largerscale; and Fig. 5 is a corresponding plan, partly in section upon theline 5-5 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

A web 3, is illustrated as led from a roll or rolls 5B of paper orsimilar material between feed rolls 52 and over a stationary bed knifeor cutter 4, mounted upon a cutter unit 69. The term Web, paper, sheet.or its equivalent, will be employed to denote either a single layer or aplurality of superposed layers of the paper or other material. A rotarycutter 54, operated by mechanism 55, cooperates with the cutter t to cutthe traveling web into sheets 56. The invention is equally applicable touse with previously cut sheets. Owing to the feeding action of the rolls52, aided by gravity, the sheets 56 travel at a downward incline towardhigh-speed conveyor tapes or belts 2, that are mounted over rolls Iiiand 65. During such travel, the heads 62 of the sheets may engage astationary inclined guide board ll, disposed between the cutter 4 andthe tapes 2, or a line of sloping or inclinedly disposed tapes (notshown), described in a copending application,.Seria1 No. 326,975, filedMarch 30', 1940 The belts or tapes 2 are disposed approximatelyhorizontal, substantially parallel to the bed knife 4, at a level belowthe level at which the web is fed between the rolls 52. The bolts 2cooperate with conveyor tapes or belts 8 that are mounted under a roll 8and around a roll 68. Pairs of cooperating belts 2 and 6 engage portionsof the sheets 56 that are spaced from each other along the widthdimension of the sheets, as shown in Fig. 2, and advance the engagedportions of the sheets forward, in the direction of the length dimensionof the sheets, to feed the sheets, at relatively high speed, torelatively low-speed tapes 12, on which, because of the reduction inspeed, the sheets become overlapped. The overlapped sheets areultimately fed, in overlapped relation, into a lay-boy (not shown). Thetapes 2 and 6 are actuated by mechanism 58, acting upon the rolls 66 and68, desirably at a speed approximately ten per cent faster than thespeed of the web 3, as determined by the feed rolls 52. The mechanism 58may be in theform of a link chain engaging sprocket wheels upon theshafts that it turns. The roll 8 is shown positioned to the left of therolls 66 and 68, and the roll 68 is shown raised slightly above thetapes 2 to provide a space in which the tapes 2 and 6 may bite the headsof the oncoming sheets.

A roll I may be employed just back of and close to the roll 68, betweenthe cutters 4, 54 and the tapes 2. It is shown rotated at high speed,higher than the speed of the roll 68, by the mechanism 58, its lowerperiphery in the direction of travel of the sheet, as indicated by thearrow, to cause it to engage or take up the tail B1 of each sheet.

with which the tapes 2 and 6 pull the body of the sheet to feed thesheet forward toward the lay-boy (not shown).

By temporarily thus pulling the tail end 61 The roll 1 pulls the tail ofeach sheet temporarily with greater speed than the speed of each sheetforward, in substantially the direc-v tion of feed of the sheet, theroll 1 unhooks the said tail end 67 from in front of the fast-travel ingrotary knife 54, thus actuating it out of the path of travel of therotary cutter 54. If the paper becomes hooked on the faster-movingrotary knife 56, the roll 1, running at fast speed, and deliberatelyforming a loop between the fastrunning roll 1 and the slower-runningroll 68, will unhook it. Further description of this roll 1 may be foundin a copending application, Serial No. 327,107, filed April 1, 1940.

As before stated, wave-producers have sometimes been provided,positioned between the lowspeed and the high-speed tapes, but these arenot adapted for use with delicate papers. The waveproducers employedaccording to a feature of the present invention, however, aresubstantially frictionless.

A metal side bearing [2 slips over a channel iron l3 that goes crosswiseof the machine, for support, near the roll E0. The side bearing I2 isshown held in place by a spring clip [4 at the forward end of thebearing l2. At the rear end, the side bearing l2 slips under a smallmetal strip l5 fastened all the way across the channel iron E3. The sidebearing l2 may thus be m ountted anywhere transversely of the machine,at the will of the operator; Two side bearings I2 are illustrated inFig. 2, positioned at two points between various spaced pairs ofcooperating belts or tapes 2 and 6. Fastened to the side bearing aresmall wheels or pulleys I6, 14 and 16, mounted on ball bearings 80, sothat they may turn very freely, without substantial friction. Dependingupon the nature of the paper being handled, a soft tape or rubber bandIl may be placed around the two wheels l6 and M to the rear of the rollIt, so as to move with the wheels, but this is not essential. A similarrubber or other soft covering it may be placed around the wheel 15, infront of the roll l0, and similar coverings may be placed over thewheels l6 and 74, particularly if the band I1 is not employed.

During the feeding of the sheets 56 by the belts 2 and 6, therefore, thesheets will be substantially frictionlessly engaged by the wheels I6, 14and 16, or by the bands I! mounted thereover, along a stationary lineextending in the direction of feed, to introduce longitudinally in thesheets waves of substantial width. This stationary line extends along aconsiderable or substantial distance in the direction of feed, from thewheel it to the wheel 76, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3. The head 62of each sheet 56 will be frictionlessly engaged to introduce a wave init prior to changing the speed of the sheet and this frictionlessengagement will thereafter be continued throughout the body of the sheetto introduce the wave in successive portions of the sheet as it iscontinued to be fed at high speed.

The wheel 16 acts after the band I! or the wheels 14 and It to extendand maintain the waving action. The engaging band l1, if employed, andthe engaging portions of the wheels Hi, l4 and It, thus constituted ofsoft material, move easily and freely with the sheet material, withoutsubstantial friction, at the speed, and in the direction of travel, ofthe sheets, as soon as touched, even lightly, by the paper. It is thuspossible, with this movable-top waver, to put a lengthwise wave in evenvery delicate papers of the finest stock, without scratching, marring orotherwise injuring their surfaces.

Modifications will occur to persons skilled in the art, and all such areconsidered to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, asdefined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine of the character described having, in combination, meansfor feeding sheet material, means for Waving the material comprising twosubstantially frictionless wheels, a band mounted over the wheels, meanswhereby the band may be actuated with the material in the direction oftravel of the material, and a further wheel disposed in front of theband for aiding the waving action. I

2. A machine for feeding sheet material hav ing, in combination, meansfor engaging portions of the material at points spaced from each otheralong the width dimension of the material to feed it in the direction ofthe length dimension of the material, and means between the spacedpoints disposed along a stationary line in the line of feed andextending over a substantial distance in the direction of feed forsubstantially frictionlessly engaging the material during the feeding ofthe material to wave the material longitudinally, the last-named meanscomprising two substantially frictionless wheels, a band mounted overthe wheels, means whereby the band may be actuated with the material inthe direction of travel of the material, and a further wheel disposed infront of the band for aiding the waving action.

3. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, meansfor substantially frictionlessly engaging the material, means forengaging portions of the material at points spaced from each other alongthe width dimension of the material, and means for actuating thesecond-named engaging means in the direction of the length dimension ofthe material, the frictionlessly engaging means comprising a banddisposed between the spaced points, the band being normally stationaryduring the operation of the machine but being actuable with the materialin the direction of travel of the material to introduce a waveprogressively in the material longitudinally of the material during thefeeding of the material.

4. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, meansfor substantially frictionlessly engaging the material, means forengaging portions of the material at points spaced from each other alongthe width dimension of the material, and means for actuating thesecond-named engaging means in the direction of the length dimension ofthe material, the frictionlessly engaging means comprising twosubstantially frictionless wheels disposed between the spaced pointsalong a stationary line in the line of feed, and a band mounted over thewheels,

the band being normally stationary during the operation of the machinebut being actuable with the material in the direction of travel of thematerial to introduce a wave progressively in the materiallongitudinally of the material during the feeding of the material.

5. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, meansdisposed substantially in a plane for engaging portions of the materialnear the edges and at points spaced from each other along the widthdimension of the material, means for advancing the first-named means insubstantially the said plane in the direction of the length dimension ofthe material to feed the material in the said direction, and meanshaving a substantially frictionlessly material-engaging surface spacedsubstantially from the spaced points and intersecting the plane with aportion of the surface disposed to one side of the plane in ordersubstantially frictionlessly to engage the material during the feedingof the material, the material-engaging surface being normally stationaryduring the operation of the machine but being easily and freely movablewith the material, without substantial friction, at the speed, and inthe direction of travel, of the material in immediate response to thesubstantially frictionless engagement of the material-engaging surfaceby the material in order progressively to introduce substantiallyfrictionlessly a wave of substantial width in the materiallongitudinally of the material during the feeding of the material,without scratching, marring or otherwise injuring the material.

6. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, meansdisposed substantially in a plane for engaging portions of the materialnear the edges and at points spaced from each other along the widthdimension of the material, means for advancing the first-named means insubstantially the said plane in the direction of the length dimension ofthe material to feed the material in the said direction, and meanshaving a substantially frictionlessly materialengaging surface spacedsubstantially from the spaced points and intersecting the plane with aportion of the surface disposed to one side of the plane and movablewith the material in the direction of travel of the material in ordersubstantially frictionlessly to engage the material during the feedingof the material, the lastnamed means comprising a wheel that is normallystationary during the operation of the machine but that is easily andfreely movable with the material, without substantial friction, at thespeed, and in the direction of travel, of the material in immediateresponse to the substantially frictionless engagement of thematerial-engaging surface by the material in order progressively tointroduce substantially frictionlessly a wave of substantial width inthe materiallongitudinally of the material during the feeding of thematerial, without scratching, marring or otherwise injuring thematerial.

'7. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, meansdisposed substantially in a plane for engaging portions of the materialnear the edges and at points spaced from each other along the widthdimension of the material, means for advancing the first-named means insubstantially the said plane in the direction of the length dimension ofthe material to feed the material in the said direction, and

means having a soft substantially frictionlessly material-engagingsurface spaced substantially from the spaced points and intersecting theplane with a portion of the surface disposed to one side of the planeand movable with the material in the direction of travel of the materialin order substantially frictionlessly to engage the material during thefeeding of the material, the material-engaging surface being normallystationary during the operation of the machine but being easily andfreely movable with the material, without substantial friction, at thespeed, and in the direction of travel, of the material in immediateresponse to the substantially frictionless engagement of thematerial-engaging surface by the material in order progressively tointroduce substantially frictionlessly a wave of substantial width inthe material longitudinally of the material during the feeding of thematerial, without scratching, marring or otherwise injuring thematerial.

8. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, meansdisposed substantially in a plane for engaging portions of the materialnear the edges and at points spaced from each other along the widthdimension of the material, means for advancing the first-named means insubstantially the said plane in the direction of the length dimension ofthe material to feed the material in the said direction, and meanshaving a plurality of substantially frictionlessly material-engagingsurfaces spaced substantially from the spaced points and from each otheralong the width dimension of the material and intersecting the planewith portions of the surfaces disposed to one side of the plane in ordersubstantially frictionlessly to engage the material during the feedingof the material, the material-engaging surfaces being normallystationary but being individually and independently of each other easilyand freely movable with the material, without substantial friction, atthe speed, and in the direction of travel, of the material in immediateresponse to the substantially frictionless engagement of the respectivematerial-engaging surfaces by the material in order progressively tointroduce substantially frictionlessly a plurality of waves ofsubstantial width in the material longitudinally of the material duringthe feeding of the material, without scratching, marring or otherwiseinjuring the material.

9. A machine for feeding sheets having, in combination, means disposedsubstantially in a plane for engaging portions of the sheets near theedges and at points spaced from each other along the width dimension ofthe sheets, means for advancing the first-named means in substantiallythe said plane in the direction of the length dimension of the sheets atrelatively high speed to feed the sheets at relatively high speed in thesaid direction, means for thereafter feeding the sheets at relativelylow speed, and means having asubstantially frictionlessly sheet-engagingsurface spaced substantially from the spaced points and intersecting theplane with a portion of the surface disposed to one side of the plane inorder substantially frictionlessly to engage the sheets during thefeeding of the sheets at relatively high speed, the sheet-engagingsurface being normally stationary but being easily and freely movablewith the sheets, without substantial friction, at the speed, and in thedirection of travel, of the sheets in immediate response to thesubstantially frictionless engagement of the sheet-engaging surface bythe sheets in order progressively to introduce substantiallyfrictionlessly a wave of substantial width in the sheets longitudinallyof the sheets during the feeding of the sheets at relatively high speedwithout scratching, marring or otherwise injuring the sheets.

10. A machine for feeding sheet material. having, in combination, meansdisposed substantially in a plane for engaging portions of the materialnear the edges and at points spaced from each other along the widthdimension of the material, means for advancing the first-named means insubstantially the said plane in the direction of the length dimension ofthe material to feed the material in the said direction, and meanshaving a substantially frictionlessly material-engaging surface spacedsubstantially from the spaced points and intersecting the plane with aportion of the surface disposed to one side of the plane and movablewith the material in the direction of travel of the material in ordersubstantially frictionlessly to engage the material during the feedingof the material, the last-named means comprising a normally stationarywheel that is mounted on ball bearings so that it may turn easily andfreely, without substantial friction, at the speed, and in the directionof the travel, of the material in immediate response to thesubstantially frictionless engagement of the material-engaging surfaceby the material in order progressively to introduce substantiallyfrictionlessly a wave of substantial width in the material longitudinallof the material during the feeding of the material, without scratching,marring or otherwise injuring the material.

11. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, meansdisposed substantially in a plane for engaging portions of the materialnear the edges and at points spaced from each other along the widthdimension of the material, means for advancing the firstnamed means insubstantially the said plane in the direction of the length dimension ofthe material to feed the material in the said direction, and meanshaving a plurality of substantially frictionlessly material-engagingsurfaces spaced substantially from the spaced points and from each otheralong the width dimension of the material and intersecting the planewith portions of the surfaces disposed to one side of the plane in ordersubstantially frictionlessly to engage the material during the feedingof the material, the last-named means comprising a plurality of normallystationary wheels that are mounted on ball bearings so that they mayindividually and independently of each other turn easily and freely,Without substantial friction, at the speed, and in the direction oftravel, of the material in immediate response to the substantiallyfrictionless engagement of the respective materialengaging surfaces ofthe material in order progressively to introduce substantiallyfrictionlessly a plurality of waves of substantial width in the materiallongitudinally of the material during the feeding of the materialwithout scratching, marring or otherwise injuring th material.

12. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, meansdisposed substantially in a plane for engaging portions of the materialnear the edges and at points spaced from each other along the widthdimension of the material, means for advancing the first-named means insubstantially the said plane in the direction of material in the saiddirection, a pair of normally ass 1,"?64

stationary wheels spaced substantially from the spaced points one behindthe other in the direction of travel of the material, and a band mountedover the wheels so as to intersect the plane with a portion of the banddisposed to one side of the plane, the wheels being mounted on ballbearings so that they may turn easily and freely to enable the band tomove with the material, without substantial friction, at the speed, andin the direction of travel, of the material in immediate response to theengagement of the band by the material in order progressively tointroduce substantially frictionlessly a wave of substantial width inthe material longitudinally of the material during the feeding of thematerial without scratching, marring or otherwise injuring the material.

13. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, meansdisposed substantially in a plane for engaging portions of the materialnear the edges and at points spaced from each other along the Widthdimension of the material, means for advancing the first-named means insubstantially the said plane in the direction of the length dimension ofthe material to feed the material in the said direction, a plurality ofpairs of normally stationary wheels spaced substantially from the spacedpoints and from each other along the width dimension of the material,the wheels of each pair being disposed one behind the other in thedirection of travel of the material, and a band mounted over the wheelsof each pair so as to intersect the plane with a portion of each banddisposed to one side of the plane, the wheels being mounted in ballbearings so that they may turn easily and freely to enable the bands tomove with the material, without substantial friction, at the speed, andin the direction of travel, of the material, in immediate response tothe engagement of the bands by the material in order progressively tointroduce substantially frictionlessly a plurality of waves ofsubstantial width in the material longitudinally of the material duringthe feeding of the material without scratching, marring or otherwiseinjuring the material.

14. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, meansdisposed substantially in a plane for engaging portions of the materialnear the edges and at points spaced from each other along the widthdimension of the material, means for advancing the first-named means insubstantially the said plane in the di rection of the length dimensionof the material to feed the material in the said direction, means havinga substantially frictionlessly materialengaging surface spacedsubstantially from the spaced points and intersecting the plane with aportion of the surface disposed to one side of the plane in ordersubstantially frictionlessly to engage the material during the feedingof the material, the material-engaging surface being normally stationarybut being easily and freely movable with the material, withoutsubstantial friction, at the speed, and in the direction of travel, ofthe material in immediate response to the substantially frictionlessengagement of the material-engaging surface by the material in orderprogressively to introduce substantially frictionlessly a wave ofsubstantial width in the material longitudinally of the material duringthe feeding of the material without scratching, marring or otherwiseinjuring the material, and means disposed in front of thematerial-engaging surface in the direction of travel of the material forengaging the material, thereby to extend and maintain the wave in thematerial.

15. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, meansdisposed substantially in a plane for engaging portions of the materialnear the edges and at points spaced from each other along the widthdimension of the material, means for advancing the first-named means insubstantially the said plane in the direction of the length dimension ofthe material to feed the material in the said direction, means having asubstantially frictionlessly materialengaging surface spacedsubstantially from the spaced points and intersecting the plane with aportion of the surface disposed to one side of the plane in ordersubstantially frictionlessly to engage the material during the feedingof the material, the material-engaging surface being normally stationarybut being easily and freely movable with the material, withoutsubstantial friction, at the speed, and in the direction of travel, ofthe material in immediate response to the substantially frictionlessengagement of the material-engaging surface by the material in orderprogressively to introduce substantially frictionlessly a wave ofsubstantial width in the material longitudinally of the material duringthe feeding of the material without scratching, marring or otherwiseinjuring the material, and a substantially frictionless wheel disposedin front of the material-engaging surface in the direction of travel ofthe material for engaging the material, thereby to extend and maintainthe wave in the material.

16. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, meansdisposed substantially in a plane for engaging portions of the materialnear the edges and at points spaced from each other along the widthdimension of the material, means for advancing the first-named means insubstantially the said plane in the direction of the length dimension ofthe material to feed the material in the said direction, means having asubstantially frictionlessly materialengaging surface spacedsubstantially from the spaced points and intersecting the plane with aportion of the surface disposed to one side of the plane and movablewith the material in the direction of travel of the material in ordersubstantially frictionlessly to engage the material during the feedingof the material, the lastnamed means comprising a normally stationarywheel that is easily and freely movable with the material, withoutsubstantial friction, at the speed, and in the direction of travel, ofthe material in immediate response to the substantially frictionlessengagement of the materialengaging surface by the material in orderprogressively to introduce substantially frictionlessly a wave ofsubstantial width in the material longitudinally of the material duringthe feeding of the material, and a further normally stationary wheeldisposed in front of the material-en gaging surface in the direction oftravel of the material for engaging the material, thereby to extend andmaintain the wave in the material, the further normally stationary wheelbeing mounted to turn easily and freely, without substantial friction,at the speed, and in the direction of travel, of the material inimmediate response to its engagement by the material.

17. A machine for feeding sheet material hav ing, in combination, meansdisposed substantially in a plane for engaging portions of the materialnear the edges and at points spaced from each other along the widthdimension of the material, means for advancing the firstnamed means insubstantially the said plane in the direction of the length dimension ofthe material to feed the material in the said direction, means having asubstantially frictionlessly material-engaging surface spacedsubstantially from the spaced points and intersecting the plane with aportion of the surface disposed to one side of the plane and movablewith the material in the direction of travel of the material in ordersubstantially frictionlessly to engage the material during the feedingof the material, the last-named means comprising a normally stationarywheel that is mounted on ball bearings so that it may turn easily andfreely, without substantial friction, at the speed, and in the directionof travel, of the material in immediate response to the substantiallyfrictionless engagement of the material-engaging surface by the materialin order progressively to introduce substantially frictionlessly a waveof substantial width in the material longitudinally of the materialduring the feeding of the material without scratching, marring orotherwise injuring the material, and a further normally stationary wheeldisposed in front of the material-engaging surface in the direction oftravel of the material for engaging the material, thereby to extend andmaintain the wave in the material, the further normally stationary wheelbeing mounted on ball bearings so that it may turn easily and freelywithout substantial friction, at the speed, and in the direction oftravel, of the material in immediate response to its engagement by thematerial.

18. A machine for feeding sheet material hav ing, in combination, meansdisposed substantially in a plane for engaging portions of the materialnear the edges and at points spaced from each other along the widthdimension of the material, means for advancing the firstnamed means insubstantially the said plane in the direction of the length dimension ofthe material to feed the material in the said direction, and meanshaving a substantially frictionlessly material-engaging surface spacedsubstantially from the spaced points and intersecting the plane with aportion of the surface disposed to one side of the plane in ordersubstantially frictionlessly to engage the material during the feedingof the material, the material-engaging surface being normally stationaryduring the operation of the machine but being easily and freely movablewith the material, without substantial friction, at the speed, and inthe direction of travel, of the material in immediate response to thesubstantially frictionless engagement of the material-engaging surfaceby the material in order progressively to introduce substantiallyfrictionlessly a wave of substantial width in the materiallongitudinally of the material during the feeding of the materialwithout scratching, marring or otherwise injuring the material, thelast-named means being adjustable in order to adjust the position of thematerial-engaging surface between the spaced points.

19. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, meansdisposed substantially in a plane for engaging portions of the materialnear the edges and at points spaced from each other along the widthdimension of the material, means for advancing the first-named means insubstantially the said plane in the direction of the length dimension ofthe material to feed the material in the said direction, and meanshaving a plurality of substantially frictionlessly material-engagingsurfaces spaced substantially from the spaced points and from each otheralong the width dimension of the material and intersecting the planewith portions of the surfaces disposed to one side of the plane in ordersubstantially frictionlessly to engage the material during the feedingof the material, the materialengaging surfaces being normally stationarybut being individually and independently of each other easily and freelymovable with the material, without substantial friction, at the speed,and in the direction of travel, of the material in immediate response tothe substantially frictionless engagement of the respectivematerial-engaging surfaces by the material in order progressively tointroduce substantially frictionlessly a plurality of waves ofsubstantial width in the material longitudinally of the material duringthe feeding of the material without scratching, marring or otherwiseinjuring the material, the lastnamed means being adjustable in order toadjust the positions of the material-engaging surfaces between thespaced points.

20. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, meansdisposed substantially in a plane for engaging portions of the materialnear the edges and at points spaced from each other along the widthdimension of the material,

means for advancing the first-named means in substantially the saidplane in the direction of the length dimension of the material to feedthe material in the said direction, and means having a substantiallyfrictionlessly material-engaging surface spaced substantially from thespaced points and intersecting the plane with a portion of the surfacedisposed to one side of the plane and movable with the material in thedirection of travel of the material in order substantiallyfrictionlessly to engage the material during the feeding of thematerial,the last-named means comprising a normally stationary wheel that ismounted on ball bearings so that it may turn easily and freely, withoutsubstantial friction, at the speed, and in the direction of the travel,of the material in immediate response to the substantially frictionlessengagement of the material-engaging surface by the material in orderprogressively to introduce substantially frictionlessly a wave ofsubstantial width in the material longitudinally of the material duringthe feeding of the material without scratching, marring or otherwiseinjuring the material, the wheel being adjustable in order to adjust itsposition between the spaced points.

21. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, meansdisposed substantially in a plane for engaging portions of the materialnear the edges and at points spaced from each other along the widthdimension of the material, means for advancing the first-named means insubstantially the said plane in the direction of the length dimension ofthe material to feed the material in the said direction, and meanshaving a plurality of substantially frictionlessly material-engagingsurfaces spaced substantially from the spaced points and from each otheralong the width dimension of the material and intersecting the planewith portions of the surfaces disposed to one side of the plane in ordersubstantially frictionlessly to engage the material during the feedingof the material, the last-named means comprising a plurality of normallystationary wheels that are mounted on ball bearings so that they mayindividually and independently of each other turn easily and freely,without substantial friction, at the speed, and in the direction oftravel, of the material in immediate response to the substantiallyfrictionless engagement of the respective material-engaging surfaces ofthe material in order progressively to introduce substantiallyfrictionlessly a plurality of waves of substantial width in the materiallongitudinally of the material during the feeding of the materialwithout scratching, marring or otherwise injuring the material, thewheels being adjustable in order to adjust their position between thespaced points.

22. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, meansdisposed substantially in a plane for engaging portions of the materialnear the edges and at points spaced from each other along the widthdimension of the material, means for advancing the first-named means insubstantially the said plane in the direction of the length dimension ofthe material to feed the material in the said direction, a pair ofnormally stationary wheels spaced substantially from the spaced pointsone behind the other in the direction of travel of the material, and aband mounted over the Wheels so as to intersect the plane with a portionof the band disposed to one side of the plane, the wheels being mountedon ball bearings so that they may turn easily and freely to enable theband to move with the material, without substantial friction, at thespeed, and in the direction of travel, of the material in immediateresponse to the engagement of the band by the material in orderprogressively to introduce substantially frictionlessly a Wave ofsubstantial width in the material longitudinally of the material duringthe feeding of the material without scratching, marring or otherwiseinjuring the material, the pair of normally stationary wheels beingadjustable in order to adjust the position of the hand between thespaced points.

23. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, meansdisposed substantially in a plane for engaging portions of the materialnear the edges and at points spaced from each other along the widthdimension of the material, means for advancing the first-named means insubstantially the said plane in the direction of the length dimension ofthe material to feed the material in the said direction, a plurality ofpairs of normally stationary wheels spaced substantially from the spacedpoints and from each other along the width dimension of the material,the wheels of each pair being disposed one behind the other in thedirection of travel of the material, and a band mounted over the wheelsof each pair so as to intersect the plane with a portion of each banddisposed to one side of the plane, the wheels being mounted in ballbearings so that they may turn easily and freely to enable the bands tomove with the material, without substantial friction, at the speed, andin the direction of travel, of the material, in immediate response tothe engagement of the bands by the material in order progressively tointroduce substantially frictionlessly a plurality of waves ofsubstantial width in the material longitudinally of the material duringthe feeding of the material Without scratching, marring or otherwiseinjuring the material, the pairs of normally stationary wheels beingadjustable in order to adjust the position of the bands between thespaced points.

24. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, meansdisposed substantially in a plane for engaging portions of the materialnear the edges and at points spaced from each other along the widthdimension of the material, means for advancing the first-named means insubstantially the said plane in the direction of the length dimension ofthe material to feed the material in the said direction, and meanshaving a substantially frictionlessly material-engaging surface spacedsubstantially from the spaced points and intersecting the plane with aportion of the surface disposed to one side of the plane in ordersubstantially frictionlessly to engage the material during the feedingof the material, the material-engaging surface being normally stationaryduring the operation of the machine but being easily and freely movablewith the material,

without substantial friction, at the speed, and in the direction oftravel, of the material in immediate response to the substantiallyfrictionless engagement of the material-engaging surface by the materialin order progressively to introduce substantially frictionlessly a waveof substantial Width in the material longitudinally of the materialduring the feeding of the material without scratching, marring orotherwise injuring the material, adjacently disposed points beingpositioned relatively close to each other in order that thematerial-engaging surface may be relatively close to the adjacent spacedpoints between which it is disposed.

25. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, meansdisposed substantially in a plane for engaging portions of the materialnear the edges and at points spaced from each other along the widthdimension of the material, means for advancing the first-narned means insubstantially the said plane in the direction of the length dimension ofthe material to feed the ma terial in the said direction, and meanshaving a plurality of substantially frictionlessly material engagingsurfaces spaced substantially from the spaced points and from each otheralong the width dimension of the material and intersecting the planewith portions of the surfaces disposed to one side of the plane in ordersubstantially frictionlessly to engage the material during the feedingof the material, the material-engaging surfaces being normallystationary but being individually and independently of each other easilyand freely movable with the material, without substantial friction, atthe speed, and in the direction of travel, of the material in immediateresponse to the substantially frictionless engagement of the respectivematerial-engaging surfaces by the material in order progressively tointroduce substantially frictionlessly a plurality of waves ofsubstantial width in the material longitudinally of the material duringthe feeding of the material without scratching, marring or otherwiseinjuring the material, adjacently disposed spaced points beingpositioned relatively close to each other in order that thematerialengaging surfaces may be relatively close to the adjacent spacedpoints between which they are respectively disposed.

26. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, a rollof substantially uniform diameter, a plurality of tapes mounted in aplane over the roll, means for actuating the tapes in the plane to feedsheet material, and means having a substantially frictionlesslymaterial-engaging surface disposed near the roll between adjacentlydisposed tapes and intersectin the plane with a portion of the surfaceiii) disposed to one side of the plane in order substantiallyfriotionlessly to engage the material during feeding of :the material,the materialengaging surface being normally stationary during theoperation of the machine but being easily and freely movable with thematerial, without substantial friction, at the speed, and in thedirection of travel, of the material in immediate response to thesubstantially frictionless engagement of the material-engaging surfaceby the material, in order progressively to introduce substantiallyfrictionlessly a wave of substantial width in the materiallongitudinally of the material during the feeding of the materialwithout scratching, marring or otherwise injuring the material.

27. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, a rollof substantially uni form diameter, a plurality of tapes mounted in aplane over the roll, means for actuating the tapes in the plane to feedsheet material, and means having a substantially frictionlesslymaterialengaging surface disposed near the roll between adiacentlydisposed tapes and intersecting the plane with a portion of the surfacedisposed to one side of the plane in order substantially frictionlesslyto engage the material during the feeding of the material, thematerial-engaging surface being normally stationary during the operationof the machine but being easily and freely movable with the material,without substantial friction, at the speed, and in the direction oftravel, of the material in immediate response to the substantiallyfrictionless engagement of'the material-engaging surface by thematerial, in order progressively to introduce substantiallyfrictionlessly a wave of substantial width in the materiallongitudinally of the material during the feeding of the materialwithout scratching, marring or otherwise injuring the material, thelast-named means being adjustable in order to adjust the position of thematerial-engaging surface between the tapes.

28. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, a rollof substantially uniform diameter, a plurality of tapes mounted in aplane over the roll, means for actuating the tapes in the plane to feedsheet material, and means having a plurality of substantiallyfrictionlessly material-engaging surfaces disposed near the rollrespectively between adjacentlydisposed tapes and intersecting the planewith portions of the surfaces disposed to one side of the plane in ordersubstantially fr-ictionlessly to engage the material during the feedingof the material, the material-engaging surfaces being normallystationary but being individually and independently of each other easilyand freely movable with the material, without substantial friction, atthe speed, and in the direction of travel, of the material in immediateresponse to the substantially frictionless engagement of the respectivematerial-engaging surfaces by the material in order progressively tointroduce substantially frictionlessly a plurality of waves ofsubstantial width in the material longitudinally of the material duringthe feeding of the material without scratching, marring or otherwiseinjuring the material.

29. A machine for feeding sheet material havin combination, a roll ofsubstantially uniform diameter, a plurality of tapes mounted in a planeover the roll, means for actuating the tapes in the plane to feed sheetmaterial, and means having a plurality of substantially frictionlesslymaterial-engaging surfaces disposed near the roll respectively betweenadjacently-disposed tapes and. intersecting the plane with portions ofthe surfaces disposed to one side of the plane in order substantiallyfrictio'nlessly to engage the material during the feeding of thematerial, the material-engaging surfaces being normally stationary butbeing individually and independently of each other easily and freelymovable with the material, without substantial friction, at the speed,and in the direction of travel, of the material in immediate response tothe substantially frictionless engagement of the respectivematerial-engaging surfaces by the materialin order progressively tointroduce substantially frictionlessly a plurality of waves ofsubstantial width in the material longitudinally of the material duringthe feeding of the material without scratching, marring or otherwiseinjuring the material, the last-named means being adjustable in order toadjust the positions of the materialengaging surfaces between the tapes.

30. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, a rollof substantially uniform diameter, a plurality of tapes mounted in aplane over the roll, means for actuating the tapes in the plane to feedsheet material, and means having a substantially frictionlesslymaterial-engaging surface disposed near the roll between adjacentlydisposed tapes and intersecting the plane with a portion of the surfacedisposed 1 to one side of the plane in order substantiallyfrictionlessly to engage the material during the feeding of thematerial, the last-named means comprising a normally stationary wheelthat is mounted on ball bearings so that it may turn easily and freely,without substantial friction, at the speed, and in the direction of thetravel, of the material in immediate response to the substantiallyfrictionless engagement of the material-engaging surface by the materialin order progressively to introduce substantially frictionlessly a waveof substantial width in the material longitudinally of the materialduring the feeding of the material without scratching, marring orotherwise injuring the material.

31. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, a rollof substantially uniform diameter, a plurality of tapes mounted in aplane over the roll, means for actuating the tapes in the plane to feedsheet material, and means having a substantially frictionlesslymaterial-engaging surface disposed near the roll between adjacentlydisposed tapes and intersecting the plane with a portion of the surfacedisposed to one side of the plane in order substantially frictionlesslyto engage the material during the feeding of the material, thelast-named means comprising a normally stationary wheel that is mountedon ball bearings so that it may turn easily and freely, withoutsubstantial friction, at the speed, and in the direction of the travel,of the material in immediate response to the substantially frictionlessengagement of the material-engaging surface by the material in orderprogressively to introduce substantially frictionlessly a wave ofsubstantial width in the material longitudinally of the material duringthe feeding of the material without scratching, marring or otherwiseinjuring the material, the wheel being adjustable in order to adjust itsposition between the tapes.

32. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, a rollof substantially uniform diamete a p u al ty of tap s mounted n avvplane overthe-roll, means for actuating the tapes in the 'plane tofeed sheet material, and means having a plurality of substantiallyfrictionlessly material-engaging surfaces disposed near the rollrespectively between adjacently disposed tapes and intersecting theplane with portions of the surfaces disposed to one side of the plane inorder substantially frictionlessly to engage the material during thefeeding of the material, the last-named means comprising a plurality ofnormally stationary wheels that are mounted on ball bearings so thatthey may individually and independently of each other turn easily andfreely, without substantial friction, at the speed, and in the directionof travel, of the material in immediate response to the substantiallyfrictionless engagement of the respective material-engaging surfaces ofthe material in order progressively to introduce substantiallyfrictionlessly a plurality of waves of substantial width in the materiallongitudinally of the material during the feeding of the materialwithout scratching, marring or otherwise injuring the material.

33. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, a rollof substantially uniform diameter, a plurality of tapes mounted in aplane over the roll, means for actuating the tapes in the Plane to feedsheet material, and means having a plurality of substantiallyfrictionlessly material-engaging surfaces disposed near the rollrespectively between adjacently disposed tapes and intersecting theplane with portions of the surfaces disposed to one side of the plane inorder substantially frictionlessly to enage the material during thefeeding of the ma terial, the last-named means comprising a plurality ofnormally stationary wheels that are mounted on ball bearings so thatthey may individually and independently of each other turn easily andfreely, without substantial friction, at the speed, and in the directionof travel, of the material in immediate response to the substantiallyfrictionless engagement of the respective material-engaging surfaces ofthe material in order progressively to introduce substantially'frictionlessly a plurality of waves of substantial width in thematerial longitudinally of the material during the feeding of thematerial without scratching, marring or otherwise injuring the material,the wheels being adjustable in order to adjust their positions betweenthe tapes.

34. A machine for feeding sheet material having, in combination, a rollof substantially uniform diameter, a plurality of tapes mounted in aplane over the roll, means for actuating the tapes in the plane to feedsheet material, means having a substantially frictionlesslymaterialengaging surface disposed near the roll between adjacentlydisposed tapes and intersecting the plane with a portion of the surfacedisposed to one side of the plane in order substantially frictionlesslyto engage the material during the feeding of the material, thematerial-engaging surface being normally stationary during the operationof the machine but being easily and freely movable with the material,without substantial friction, at the speed, and in the direction oftravel, of the material in immediate response to the substantiallyfrictionless engagement of the material-engaging surface by thematerial, in order progressively to introduce substantiallyfrictionlessly a wave of substantial width in the materiallongitudinallyof the material during the feeding of. the material without scra c ing,mar

ring or otherwise injuring the material, and means disposed in front ofthe roll in the rection of travel of the material for engaging thematerial thereby to extend and maintain-the Wave in the material.

35. A machine for feeding. sheet material having, in combinatio a rollof substantially uniform diameter, a plurality of tapes mounted in aplane over the roll, means for actuating the tapes in the plane to feedsheet material, means having a substantially frictionlesslymaterial-engaging surface disposed near the roll between adj acentlydisposed tapes and intersecting the plane with a portion of the surfacedisposed to one side of the plane in order substantially frictionlesslyto engage the material during the feeding of the material, thematerial-engaging surscratching, marring face being normally stationarybut being easily and freely movable with the material, withoutsubstantial friction, at the speed, and in the direction of travel, ofthe material in immediate response to the substantially frictionlessengagement of the material-engaging surface by the material, in orderprogressively to introduce substantially frictionlessly a wave ofsubstantial width in the material longitudinally of the material duringthe feeding of the material without or otherwise injuring the material,and a substantially frictionless wheel disposed in front of the roll inthe direction of travel of the material for engaging the materialthereby to extend and maintain the wave in the material.

LOUIS L. MATTHEWS.

